Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl walks to a news conference after a practice session for the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, April 4, 2019, in Minneapolis. David J. Phillip AP Photo
Bruce Pearl, with hands planted on his hips, wrinkles his nose, mouth set in a deep frown and shakes his head vigorously from side to side.
That one action from Auburn’s bench Sunday – complete with some trademark dark sweat stains saturating the coach’s blue shirt – captured fans’ attention, thanks to its meme-worthy status. But that emotional high energy, which has led the Tigers to Minneapolis this weekend for their first Final Four, isn’t just for show.